Major Election Change Coming To One State

Ohio voters will soon face a pivotal decision that could significantly change how congressional and legislative districts are drawn in the state. The proposed overhaul, driven by the group Citizens Not Politicians, seeks to address concerns about the current system, which has faced criticism and legal challenges.

Earlier this month, Citizens Not Politicians submitted over 700,000 signatures to Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who certified 535,000 of them last week. This certification marks a critical moment in the push to amend the state’s redistricting process. The current maps, established by a Republican-led commission in 2020, have been ruled unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court on multiple occasions.

Retired Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor hailed the certification as a significant step toward restoring fairness to Ohio’s electoral system. “This certification is a historic milestone in our efforts to ensure a more balanced and equitable electoral process,” O’Connor stated. She emphasized that this amendment offers Ohioans an opportunity to take back control from politicians who may be more interested in maintaining their own power than in serving the public.

Under the current system, the Ohio Redistricting Commission is composed of seven members, with two spots allocated to Republicans, two to Democrats, and the remaining three positions held by the governor, the secretary of state, and the auditor, all of whom are currently Republicans. If the amendment passes, the commission would be replaced with a 15-member citizen panel. The new commission would exclude current politicians, registered lobbyists, and major political donors, aiming to ensure a more impartial approach to redistricting.

Presently, Republicans hold around 70% of legislative seats in Ohio, despite receiving only about 56% of the statewide vote in recent elections, according to Axios. This discrepancy has fueled criticism and calls for reform.

Jen Miller from the League of Women Voters, a key player in the Citizens Not Politicians campaign, expressed her enthusiasm about making it to the ballot. “This is a crucial moment for the people of Ohio to reclaim their power and ensure fair representation,” Miller said. She warned that allowing politicians and lobbyists to manipulate district maps undermines the democratic process.

This initiative is the sole statewide ballot issue for the upcoming election. Republican State Senate President Matt Huffman has voiced strong opposition to the measure. “The people making such crucial decisions should be elected officials who are accountable to the public, not unelected bureaucrats,” Huffman argued in an interview with ABC 5 Cleveland.